x

Web services enable SAP ERP calls to be made across the Internet or an intranet, using specialized versions of the XML language that allow a developer to specify the parameters, connections methods, and remote calls and store them for reference in a repository. At run time, a person, an interface, or another function, can read this repository and automatically invoke the service. Web services currently do not have industry standards for transactional behavior. Web services are useful when your function calls must be made across firewall boundaries. Using web services, you can use functions provided by external providers, assuming you know the function interface.

Web Services Example:

A web service exposes the cup interface, which provides a teacup. The Acme Company exposes the tea web service, which provides a brown liquid when the correct parameter money is provided. A cup of tea can be received by invoking the tea web service and passing the money parameter. Additional components are not required to receive tea using the tea web service.